Gloves with attached illumination means

Abstract

A pair of work gloves with an attached directional illumination device is disclosed. A miniature illumination device is affixed thereto the back of the hand area of the work glove via hook-and-loop fasteners. The lighting device takes the form of a small enclosure that houses batteries and a lens with a reflected array of forward facing high-intensity light emitting diodes (LED's). A pushbutton switch is located on top of the case for on/off operation. In use, the apparatus provides a high level of illumination directly in front of the person's hands allowing use while working at night, when light levels are low, as well as in cramped areas where nearby objects restrict the effectiveness of remote lighting devices. The invention is especially valuable in situations where it is impossible to hold a flashlight such as when one needs both hands to perform work.

1. An apparatus for providing an illumination means thereto an adjacent area comprising:
 a glove shaped in a form of a conventional hand member and to be worn by a user further comprising:
 five (5) digit areas extending from a central palm and a backside surface of said glove and worn on said hand member; and, 
 an attachment means attached thereto an elastic cylindrical-shaped band extending around a user's wrist area having a conventional circular aperture to removably receive said hand member therein; 
 
 an illumination device removably attached thereto said backside surface of said glove therewith an attachment means, further comprising:
 an upper enclosure portion comprising an upper surface; 
 a lower enclosure portion matingly attached thereto said upper enclosure portion and creating a common joining seam and comprising a bottom surface; 
 a front opening of said seam created when said upper enclosure is matingly attached to said lower enclosure portion; 
 a protective and decorative trim strip attached thereto said common joining seam and extending about a perimeter therealong and terminating prior to said front opening; 
 a plurality of light sources housed within an interior when said upper enclosure portion is matingly attached to said lower enclosure portion providing an illumination means, further comprising:
 said light sources being spaced apart between said upper and lower enclosures such that a plurality of hollow air gaps are juxtaposed between said light sources; 
 a row of equally-spaced light sources; 
 an indented reflective surface beneath said plurality of light sources; and, 
 a transparent or translucent protective cover at said front portion to focus and direct said illumination means; 
 wherein said plurality of light sources generates and emits a conical illumination beam through said protective cover; 
 wherein said reflective surface reflect said illumination means outwardly toward said desired work area; 
 
 a power source; and, 
 a power switch in electrical connection therewith said power source and said plurality of light sources; 
 
 wherein said glove provides protection and permits bending movements in conjunction with said hand member while providing a taut envelope thereon; 
 wherein said illumination device protrudes minimally above said backside surface of said glove thereby reducing interference in confined spaces and/or damage during utilization or manipulation of said apparatus; 
 wherein said plurality of light sources are directed forward to provide said illumination means; and, 
 wherein said illumination device does not move when said digit areas move thereby permitting a light beam emitting therefrom to remain on a desired work area while said user is performing a task. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said glove further comprises an elastic material allowing stretching for easy insertion of said hand member conforming thereto a shape and bending movements of said hand member. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment means comprises a hook-and-loop fastener assembly wherein said hook fastener strip is integrated on said backside surface of said glove and a loop fastener strip is integrated on said bottom surface of said illumination device. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower enclosure portions provide an attachment means thereto one another being affixed along a mating peripheral edge via respective interlocking and snapping male/female features. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower enclosure portions comprise a generally rectangular clamshell-shaped structure with rounded borders so as to not present sharp corners that may catch in confined spaces. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said trim strip comprises a rubber construction. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of light sources is a device form the group consisting of light-emitting diodes (LED); fiber optic lights, halogen lights, and incandescent lights. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said power source further comprises at least one battery removably placed therein a flush-mounted battery compartment along said upper surface of said illumination device. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said power switch further comprises an ON/OFF switch mounted thereupon said upper surface of said illumination device, wherein when said ON/OFF switch is depressed to an “ON” state, electrical power is conducted therefrom said power source thereto said plurality of light sources for generating and emitting said illumination means. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said glove may be provided in either or both right-handed and left-handed configurations. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said glove is a half-finger glove. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said glove is a full-finger glove. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus for providing an illumination means thereto an adjacent area comprising:
 a glove shaped in a form of a conventional hand member and to be worn by a user further comprising:
 five (5) digit areas extending from a central palm and a backside surface of said glove and worn on said hand member; and, 
 an attachment means thereto an elastic cylindrical-shaped band extending around a user's wrist area having a conventional circular aperture to removably receive said hand member therein; 
 
 an illumination device removably attached thereto said backside surface of said glove therewith an attachment means, further comprising:
 a generally rectangular clamshell-shaped structure with rounded borders comprising an upper enclosure portion having an upper surface, a lower enclosure portion matingly attached thereto said upper enclosure portion via respective interlocking and snapping male/female features and creating a common joining seam and having a bottom surface, a front opening of said seam created when said upper enclosure is matingly attached to said lower enclosure portion, and a protective and decorative rubber trim strip attached thereto said common joining seam and extending about a perimeter therealong and terminating prior to said front opening; 
 a plurality of LED light sources housed within said structure providing an illumination means, further comprising:
 said light sources being spaced apart between said upper and lower enclosures such that a plurality of hollow air gaps are juxtaposed between said light sources; 
 a row of equally-spaced LED light sources; 
 an indented reflective surface beneath said plurality of light sources; and, 
 a transparent or translucent protective cover at said front portion to focus and direct said illumination means; 
 wherein said plurality of LED light sources generates and emits a conical illumination beam through said protective cover; 
 wherein said reflective surface reflect said illumination means outwardly toward said desired work area; 
 
 a power source removably located therein a flush-mounted battery compartment along an upper surface of said upper enclosure portion; and, 
 a power switch in electrical connection therewith said power source and said plurality of light sources and mounted thereon said upper surface of said upper enclosure portion; 
 
 wherein said glove provides protection and permits bending movements in conjunction with said hand member while providing a taut envelope thereon; 
 wherein said illumination device protrudes minimally above said backside surface of said glove thereby reducing interference in confined spaces and/or damage during utilization or manipulation of said apparatus; 
 wherein said plurality of light sources are directed forward to provide said illumination means; and, 
 wherein said illumination device does not move when said digit areas move thereby permitting a light beam emitting therefrom to remain on a desired work area while said user is performing a task. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said glove further comprises an elastic material allowing stretching for easy insertion of said hand member conforming thereto a shape and bending movements of said hand member. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said attachment means comprises a hook-and-loop fastener assembly wherein said hook fastener strip is integrated on said backside surface of said glove and a loop fastener strip is integrated on said bottom surface of said illumination device. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said glove may be provided in either or both right-handed and left-handed configurations. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said glove is a half-finger glove. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said glove is a full-finger glove.